Hampden Township issues on menu at chamber breakfast event

ttorney Francis Marshall Jr., Cumberland Valley School District board member Bud Shaffner and Hampden Twp. Board of Commissioners Vice President John Thomas disÂ­cussed business and local issues at the third annual BreakÂ­fast with Business Leaders held Nov. 28.Paul Kiesow, The Patriot-News

Hampden Township commissioners and about 80 guests met at the Naval Support Activity on Nov. 28 for the third annual Breakfast with Business Leaders, sponsored by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce.

The event provided updates on issues, activities and projects affecting the township’s 28,000 residents and its businesses — including 50 businesses added in 2012.

Board President Al Bienstock and Vice President John Thomas reported that the township had closed on a $50 million bond issue whereby the township obtained 25 years of financing at interest rates as low as 2.25 percent. Bienstock said this was possible because of a recent bond rating upgrade — from A to AA — which he attributes to the township’s sound fiscal management.

“Most of the debt we have is related to the sewer,” said Thomas, the cost of which he says resulted from state and federal requirements, such as the Chesapeake Bay initiative. Thomas said the township’s fiscal health is excellent, adding that 2013 will be the 34th consecutive year with no increase in tax rates.

“Costs have gone up dramatically over the years, but Hampden has held the line” while delivering what he called a tremendous bundle of services to residents.

Bienstock and Thomas said progress on the special development district is ongoing and that the two engineering firms involved — Dawood Engineering and H. Edward Black and Associates — and subcommittees would soon report on their work, which began last year.

Veterans Recognition Committee chairman Commissioner Nathan Silcox, said that Giant has offered a streamside site for a permanent veterans memorial near the store it is building on Valley Road. He said the memorial could be integrated with a nature trail there and encouraged the submission of ideas or designs for the project.